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Flooding in Manhattan, 2018

Through the "Prepare Kansas" program, K-State Research and Extension is helping Kansans be better prepared for disasters which can help make recovery easier. The photo is from a previous flood event in Manhattan, Kansas.Download this photo.

Prepare Kansas helps individuals, families prepare ahead of disasters

Life-saving measures could start with talk around the dinner table

September 10, 2018

Prepare Kansas helps individuals, families prepare ahead of disasters

Life-saving measures could start with talk around the dinner table

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansans were reminded yet again how natural disasters can come with little or no warning when up to nine inches of rain resulted in flooding across several counties Labor Day weekend. Gov. Jeff Colyer issued a state of emergency declaration for five counties and assessments are occurring in others. Ironically, some of the areas hit hardest had been in a state of drought.

The flooding is just the latest disaster to hit the state this year, which underscores the importance of planning in advance to help lessen damage to lives and property in the event of a disaster, said Elizabeth Kiss, a family resource management associate professor at Kansas State University.

Kiss and a team of K-State Research and Extension educators and specialists across the state encourage Kansans to plan in advance through Prepare Kansas, an online challenge designed to help individuals and families prepare in order to ease recovery and potentially save lives when disasters strike.

Prepare Kansas poses simple tasks such as “Make an Emergency Plan” “Install and/or Inspect Smoke Alarms” and “Make a Plan for Pets and Animals” that individuals and families are encouraged to complete during September to coincide with Kansas Preparedness Month and National Preparedness Month. Prepare Kansas is in its sixth year.

 



At a glance

Prepare Kansas is an online program designed to help individuals and families be better prepared for the myriad disasters that Kansans can face. Whether it’s localized flooding, a prolonged power outage, blizzard or tornado – having a grab-and-go kit, preparing a family communication plan and other activities – can help speed recovery and potentially save lives.

Website

Prepare Kansas

Source

Elizabeth Kiss
785-532-1946
dekiss4@k-state.edu

Written by

Mary Lou Peter
913-856-2335, Ext. 130
mlpeter@ksu.edu

 

KSRE logo
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the wellbeing of Kansans.
Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.